Midlothian supervisor race expected to be very close
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Gecker

Supporters of both Republican Don Sowder and Independent Dan Gecker are expecting a very close race for the Midlothian supervisor race - perhaps even closer than last year when Sowder won with 11,738 votes (53.5 percent) compared to Gecker's 10,164 (46.5 percent). In 2006, 1,565 persons who voted in the district chose not to vote for either supervisor candidate.

Sowder and Gecker have had an unusual year following that election since Gecker decided to serve out his remaining year as planning commissioner for the Midlothian District even though Sowder had asked him to resign. Two fellow commissioners, both Republicans, then voted with Gecker to make him chairman of the commission for 2007, giving him even more visibility. Though Gecker and Sowder have been congenial in public, their relationship has been strained.

Last April, Sowder proposed a 97 cent property tax rate, though if he had sided with supervisors Kelly Miller and Art Warren, the rate would have been 95 cents. Gecker said he would have supported less than 97 cents including a set aside of one penny for transportation funding.

Sowder

Sowder wants to "keep government small," but says he could be for expanding the number of board members if he thought citizens supported it. Gecker supports adding two districts to provide better communication with constituents and to reduce the influence of special interests.

Neither candidate is in favor of increasing proffers from the maximum of $15,600. Sowder pointed out the cost is passed along to senior homebuyers and those wanting affordable housing. Gecker agreed and wants new development to pay for "its impact on the county's infrastructure."

Gecker and Sowder took different positions on the largest zoning case ever to come before the county. Gecker was a swing vote on the 3-2 vote recommending the Branner Station rezoning in the Chester area with 4,998 homes and 470,000 square feet of retail over 15-20 years.

"Branner Station is well-located and will provide infrastructure to mitigate its impact on existing development," he replied. "The same acreage done piecemeal would not have a positive impact on the county."

When the case came before the supervisors, Sowder abstained from voting, saying he wanted more time to study the rezoning. The rezoning was approved by the board on a controversial vote of 2-1 with two abstentions. Warren also abstained.

But Gecker voted against the Roseland rezoning, arguing that the developer submitted too many last minute changes in proffers, which didn't afford the commission enough time for study. Over 20- 25 years, Roseland includes 5,140 homes and 1.5 million square feet of office/retail at the intersection of Route 288 and Woolridge Road. Gecker liked the neo-traditional design of Roseland, but routinely likes to study the details of a plan before voting.

Sowder has yet to vote on Roseland because the case was deferred last week.

On business development, both Sowder and Gecker support local funding, if necessary, to build a cloverleaf access to I-295 for the Meadowville Technology Park, but neither has said where to find it in the budget. The county needs about $24 million more in addition to $3.3 million in federal funding. Both agree that more job creation could reduce the county's dependence on residential real estate taxes.

Gecker has blamed the supervisors for "the board's failure to adhere to the principle that 'growth pays for growth,' leaving Chesterfield $1.3 billion behind in road needs." He calls for prioritizing needs and better planning, adding that "the solution will be incremental."

Sowder wants "to continue our focus on state legislators who have primary responsibility for roads." He expects the board to return to the Transportation Summit options of last November, which includes "potential set asides from real estate tax, BPOL [Business, Professional and Occupation License] tax, future bond issues and other alternatives. I support the concept of supplemental funding by the county to make our roads safer."

With all five members of the current board being Republicans, there is concern among the party that it could lose control of the board, making the Midlothian race essential to maintaining the party's majority. Republicans have rallied around Sowder who has the endorsements of former Senator George Allen, Congressman Eric Cantor, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell, most of the county's Republican state legislators, all of his fellow Republican supervisors and other local Republican office holders.

Gecker is endorsed by the Chesterfield Professional Firefighters Association, the Chesterfield Education Association (CEA), the Sierra Club of Virginia and Midlothian School Board member Jim Schroeder, who was a member of the Chesterfield County Republican Committee. The committee asked Schroeder to resign because of his endorsement of Gecker.

Last year, Gecker and former planning commissioner Ron Stack, a Republican, formed a nonprofit conservancy to preserve open space in the county. For five years, Gecker was an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University, teaching courses in historic rehabilitation and urban revitalization. He is involved in revitalizing the urban areas of Manchester, Petersburg and Staunton and consults on planning with South Hill and Charlottesville.

Much of the Midlothian District is dominated by Republicans. Last year, Gecker ran as a Democrat, but is an Independent this time, believing that will enhance crossover appeal and that running the county should not be about political parties.

Based on campaign financial reports for the period of Jan. 1-Oct. 15, 2007, Gecker had raised $66,000, most of it a personal loan of $50,000. According to the report, he received $1,000 from one landowner/developer and $500 from the CEA PAC, but no money from a political party.

Sowder has raised $35,126, most of it from fellow Republicans, political action committees and the development community. Major contributors include the Chesterfield Republican Committee ($1,500), Friends of State Senator John Watkins ($2,500) and the Building a Better Virginia PAC ($5,000). Sowder had considerable funds left over from his 2006 campaign.

While the mass appeal advertising (including in this newspaper) has been about the accomplishments of both candidates, their endorsements and beliefs, direct mail by both candidates has attempted to label the other as developer-friendly. A mailing by Sowder called Gecker "a million dollar developer." A Gecker mailing said Sowder "never voted against a developer" on rezonings during his year on the board.

Midlothian candidate bios

Dan Gecker

Career: Attorney with Urban Development Associates

Education: Law degree from the College of William and Mary.

Background: Midlothian planning commissioner since 2000; past member of the Chesterfield Committee on the Future

Family: Married with four children

Don Sowder

Career: Pharmaceutical industry consultant

Education: Graduate work at University of Virginia

Background: Retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a colonel; member of Senator George Allen's Veterans Advisory Committee

Family: Married with three adult children